Rama Beach Resort and Villas

The Rama Beach Resort and Villas sits on a relatively quiet street lined with leafy tropical trees. It has the laid-back feel of a beachfront property, though it's not directly on the sand. The location, along with the hotel's affordable prices and array of features attract both families and couples. A traditional pagoda-style entrance leads into the vast lobby that’s filled with natural light and furnished with traditional wood-framed chairs and sofas with bright red cushions. The polished marble floors are complemented with carved-wood and bronze features, including the small front desk. Manicured tropical grounds are laced with stone pathways, which are neatly lined with vibrant plants and lead to outdoor facilities -- including a well-maintained tennis court. The pool has a lively atmosphere, with tiki huts, partially shaded lounge chairs on the deck, fountains, and a swim-up pool bar with submerged seats. There’s also a shallow section used as the kiddy pool. The Rama Spa is charming, with colorful Balinese decorations, bleached wooden furniture, and a stunning, natural stone bathtub.

The hotel is in South Kuta on a busy street with bars, restaurants, shops, and tour companies. The shores of Katu Beach are just a few minutes away on foot. Lippo Mall (which has a supermarket) and the Waterborn Bali water park are within a 10- to 15-minute walk. The hotel’s free shuttle goes to the center of Kuta, where guests can explore Kuta Square, Kuta Theater, and the Discovery Shopping Mall; the trip takes about 10 minutes. Legian Street -- among Bali's busiest areas, with markets and restaurants -- is 20 minutes away by car. Driving to the Uluwatu Temple takes 45 minutes. The Ngurah Rai International Airport is about a 10-minute drive.

All six different types of rooms, cottages, and villas are decorated in traditional and simple Balinese decor, with colorful Indonesian textiles, rattan touches, wooden furniture, and balconies or terraces with daybeds or two-seat sofas. Standard features include air-conditioning, coffee/tea makers, free Wi-Fi, minibars, irons and ironing boards, umbrellas, slippers, bathrobes, DVD players, and safes. White- or black-tile bathrooms have shower/tub combos and toilets with handheld bidet attachments. Deluxe Rooms are the most basic available, and have white-tile floors throughout. Cottages have garden views, or terraces that open onto the gardens. Villas have canopy beds and beautiful bathrooms with marble and mosaic tiles, and separate showers and bathtubs; Garden, Family, and private-pool villas are available. Garden Villas open onto stone patios lined with lush, tropical plants. Family Villas fit up to four people, and have the most space overall -- though all beds and seating are in the same room. And Pool Villas have small private pools with charming rock gardens. 

The free-form pool provides the social hub of the hotel, where guests sun themselves on loungers or swim up to the pool bar. A poolside pizza lounge also serves cocktails and snacks here. And Balinese dance performances are staged around the pool. Another dining option, the Dewi Shinta Restaurant offers Indonesian/Balinese cuisine -- including free buffet breakfast -- in an open-air, casual setting. The full-service spa has an outdoor reflexology area, an outdoor shower, and a treatment room for massages. Business travelers can make use of the two meeting rooms, which fit up to 200 people. And a tour desk is on-site, assisting guests with renting free bicycles, making reservations for sightseeing excursions, or hiring private drivers.